Maha utility proposes 2nd solar project in Yavatmal

The Maharashtra Electricity Generation Corporation is planning to set up a 125 MW solar energy project, estimated to cost at Rs 1100 crore, at Malkhed village in Yavatmal district subject to the approval.

"The proposal will soon be submitted to the Centre for its due approval," sources said.

Divisional Forest Officer Sudhakar Dhole said the plant would be set up on 700 hectares of land near the village and a NOC was also given to the state utility.

Out of 1160 hectares of land required for the project, 460 hectares has been obtained form the revenue department.

"The official procedures for procuring both the land were completed and the proposal would soon be submitted to the Central government," Dhole said, adding that the project might be cleared in six months' time.

As per the norms, the land should be non-productive and of non-interference from the villagers in its vicinity and the average temperature must be at 31 degree Celsius and no felling of trees allowed. The identified land suits the bill, he said.

The MahaGenco will have to pay a compensation of Rs 8 lakh per hectare to the forest department besides an equal quantum of productive land against the 700 hectares forest land ceded to MahaGenco, Dhole said.

The proposed project is only second of its kind in the state and first project was earlier commissioned in Dhule district.